Two veteran pace bowling duo of the England Test squad, James Anderson and Stuart Broad have been recalled for the first two Tests of a three-match Test series against New Zealand. Both of them were dropped from the team for the tour of the West Indies where England lost by a scoreline of 1-0 as well.

However, England are slated to host New Zealand for a three-match Test series from June 2 after the end of the ongoing edition of IPL. The series will take place between June 2 and June 27. Meanwhile, Joe Root stepped down from the captaincy of the England Test team last month and veteran all-rounder Ben Stokes has replaced him for the role as well. Also, Brendon McCullum has been appointed as the new coach too.

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England’s managing director Rob Key has said that it will be a new start for the England cricket and the team has both youth and experience as well. And, they will be looking to start on a positive note with the changes as well.

“This is the start of a new era for our Test team under the stewardship of Ben and Brendon. With a blend of youth and experience, we have selected an exciting squad that can compete with New Zealand in next month’s Test series,” the England men’s team managing director Rob Key was quoted as saying. “We have rewarded players in Harry Brook and Matty Potts who have had outstanding starts to the County season, and they deserve the opportunity to stake a claim at this level.”

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England squad for the New Zealand Test series: Ben Stokes (C), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts